ThermoMate CZ480LP Propane Tankless Water Heater: 114,000 BTU/h

What it delivers

The ThermoMate CZ480LP Propane Tankless Water Heater is a propane tankless with a 114,000 BTU/h burner and a stated maximum flow of 5.3 GPM.

Worked out from its input, it delivers roughly 4.8 GPM when the water only has to rise 45°F, and 3.1 GPM at a 70°F winter rise: 2 showers at 2 GPM in summer, 1 shower at 2 GPM in winter. Run your house through the planner.

The line must deliver about 1.2 gallons of propane an hour when it fires flat out. The requirement calculator adds it up; a licensed fitter confirms the pipe.

It recovers heat from its own exhaust, so it runs plastic venting and needs a condensate drain; check the vent lengths its manual allows.

Other listed details: connections: 3/4" npt; material: Oxygen free copper and stainless steel; model: CZ480LP.

The listing gives dimensions of 13 in (W) x 21 in (H).

Right unit for this house?

Install it when

One shower at a time in cold climates
Propane homes
Replacing a gas tank heater

Look at another unit when

More than 1 winter shower at once
Homes without a gas line

Strengths and trade-offs

Strengths

114,000 BTU/h input
Up to 5.3 GPM
Condensing efficiency

Trade-offs

Gas pipe sizing to confirm
Needs a condensate drain
Annual flushing on hard water

Install limits

Figures are the maker's or seller's own. Flow at a rise is our estimate from the input; gas, venting and electrical work needs a licensed professional.

Rated performance

Every figure below comes from the source shown in brackets. Where the maker doesn't state something, we say so instead of estimating.

Model number	CZ480LP	Retailer
Dimensions (seller)	13"W x 21"H	Retailer
Features (seller)	Anti-Freezing Protection, Condensing, Dry Combustion Protection, Flame Failure Protection	Retailer
Voltage	120 V	Retailer
Max flow (maker)	5.28 GPM	Retailer
Input (maker)	114,000 BTU/h	Retailer
Material	Oxygen free copper and stainless steel	Retailer
Fuel	Propane	Retailer
Condensing	condensing	Retailer
Connections	3/4" npt	Retailer

Rival units at this flow

GASLAND CS422BLP 113,000 BTU Propane Tankless Water Heater113,000 BTU/h, up to 5.0 GPM.

ThermoMate CZ422LP Propane Tankless Water Heater113,000 BTU/h, up to 5.0 GPM.

MIZUDO FDG-CS120AW-LP 120,000 BTU Propane Tankless Water Heater120,000 BTU/h, up to 5.1 GPM.

More gas tankless water heaters rated for similar demand

Full gas tankless water heaters spec grid · Every ThermoMate unit in the catalog

Final verdict

A sensible propane tankless for one shower at a time in cold climates.

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Questions buyers ask

Is the ThermoMate CZ480LP Propane Tankless Water Heater big enough for two showers?

From its 114,000 BTU/h input we estimate about 4.8 GPM at a 45°F rise and 3.1 GPM at a 70°F rise, so 2 two-GPM showers with mild inlet water and 1 in a cold winter. The maker's flow chart for this model is the final word.

What size gas line does the ThermoMate CZ480LP Propane Tankless Water Heater need?

At full fire it uses about 110 cubic feet of natural gas an hour or 1.2 gallons of propane. The pipe size depends on the length of the run and every other gas appliance on it; the maker's manual and a licensed gas fitter decide it.